Figurative Language Foundations English 6 Figurative Language n

Figurative Language Foundations English 6

Figurative Language n Figurative language is a group of devices used in poetry, fiction and non-fiction. They make the language richer, deeper and more interesting.

Poetic Devices n Figurative Language n n n n Simile Metaphor Alliteration: assonance and consonance Onomatopoeia Imagery Personification Symbolism Hyperbole

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Simile: n n n Def. A comparison of two unlike things using “like” or “as. ” hint: think of “similar. ” E. g. “My love is like a red, red rose. ” “…a heart as cold as ice. ” It is easy to find examples of simile, just by looking for “like” or “as. ”

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Metaphor Def. A comparison between two unlike things that is stated as if the two were the same. There is no “like” or “as. ” n E. g. “all the world’s a stage” “this day is the field of our lives” Tip: Metaphors can become “extended” and carry on a comparison between two things for many lines. n

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Alliteration n Def. The repetition of a sound to create an effect. If a vowel sound is repeated, that is called assonance, and if a consonant sound is repeated, it is called consonance. E. g. “a bright, blue bubble” “over the old owl’s house” Hint: look for repeated letters in the same phrase or sentence.

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Onomatopoeia n n n Def. the sound of the word imitates the sound of the thing E. g. “snap, crackle, pop” “slithering” “meow” Tip: the sounds of things are sometimes very different in different languages. For example, in English a cat says “meow, ” but in German it says “ritzaratz. ”

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Imagery n n n Def. The words of the poem (or story) create a vivid picture in the mind of the reader. E. g. Hint: image = picture

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Personification n Def. The poet gives human (or sometimes animal) qualities or feelings to an inanimate object or other non-human thing. E. g. “She felt death’s icy fingers on her throat. ” “The fog came in on little cat feet. ” Hint: think of the word “person. ” The poet is writing as if a thing has become a person.

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Symbolism n n Def. An object becomes a sign or symbol representing something larger, usually an intangible thing. E. g. a dove is a symbol for peace, a heart is a symbol of love, a candle or lamp is a symbol for knowledge

Poetic Devices: Figurative Language n Hyperbole n n n Def. The use of extreme exaggeration. E. g. “it was the biggest, ugliest, and least comfortable bus in all the world. ” Hint: look for “est” endings